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Psychic Science 


Part 3—Lessons 51 to 75 

Subliminal Mentality, Subconscious Powers, Psychic 
Influence, Mental Fascination, Personal Magnetism, 
Mesmerism, Hypnotism, Thought-Transferrence, 
Telepathy, Mind-Reading, Psychometry, Clair¬ 
voyance, Crystal-Gazing, Mental Science, 
Character Building, Psychic Attraction, 
Thought-Force, Mind Power, Psycho- 
Therapy, Mental Healing, Absent 
Treatment, Psychic Development 

and other branches of 

Psychism and Mentalism 

By 

Albert Wood Wicks, M. S., B. S., E. E. 

And 

Professor J. Upton Bartholomew, D. Ps. S. 


Copyrighted 1911 


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American University of Mental Science 

152 East Superior Street :: Chicago, Ill., U. S. A. 

















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Psychic Science 


135 




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LESSON 51. 

THE SLEEP-CONDITION—(Continued). 

Dr. Cocke, the authority previously quoted, gives us 
the following interesting comments regarding the phe¬ 
nomena of the sleep-condition. He says: “The effect 
of hypnotism upon the sense of sight is one of the most 
curious of all phenomena occurring in the hypnotic 
state. If a person who is hypnotized is told to open his 
eyes he will do so, and seeing, will perceive only as the 
operator may suggest. Professor James mentions some 
very interesting experiments, which prove that blind¬ 
ness which can be induced by suggestion is purely 
psychic, and not due to an effect directly upon either 
the center of sight in the brain or locally in the eye. 
The hypnotized subject will become psychically blind 
at the operator’s will. If a line is made upon a clean 
blackboard, the hypnotized subject, if commanded to 
do so, will tell you that the blackboard is still a blank. 
Place a number of lines in any position you please 
around the first one. The hypnotized subject will still 
insist that the line you first made upon the blackboard 
is not there. Professor James argues that the fact of 
the hypnotized subject refusing to recognize the ex¬ 
istence of the line, is an evidence that the subject saw 
the line, but that his consciousness refused to recog¬ 
nize its existence.” 


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Psychic Science 

Scientific Explanation. 

Regarding the above reference to Professor James, 
we give herewith the exact statement of the latter 
authority: “Make a stroke on a paper or blackboard, 
and tell the subject that it is not there, and he will see 
nothing but the clean paper or board. Next, he not 
looking, surround the original stroke with other strokes 
exactly like it, and ask him what he sees. He will 
point out one by one the new strokes, and omit the 
original one every time, no matter how numerous the 
new strokes may be, or in what order they are ar¬ 
ranged. Similarly, if the original single line, to which 
he is blind, be doubled by a prism of sixteen degrees 
placed before one of his eyes (both eyes being kept 
open), he will say that he now sees one stroke, and 
point in the direction in which lies the image seen 
through the prism. Another experiment proves that 
he must see it in order to ignore it. Make a red cross, 
invisible to the hypnotic subject, on a sheet of white 
paper, and yet cause him to look fixedly at a dot on 
the paper on or near the red cross; he will, on trans¬ 
ferring his eye to the blank sheet, see a bluish-green 
after-image of the cross. This proves that it has im¬ 
pressed his sensibility. He has felt but not perceived 
it. He had actually ignored it, refused to recognize it, 
as it were.” 

Hallucinatory Impressions. 

Dr. Cocke also says: “All sorts of hallucinatory im¬ 
pressions may be produced upon the sense of hearing 


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137 


as well as upon the sense of sight. The subject’s hear¬ 
ing may be made abnormally acute, or he may be made 
to hear things which do not exist. This peculiar sub¬ 
conscious condition, when not interfered with by sug¬ 
gestion, renders the sense of hearing peculiarly, nay, 
pathologically acute. A hypnotized subject is much 
more sensitive to music. It has for him a deeper mean¬ 
ing than for the normal mind. . . . Hallucinations 

and delusions of taste and smell in a hypnotized subject 
can also be produced by suggestion. The power of 
speech may be wholly abolished or partially inhibited, 
and certain words will be forgotten at command while 
the hypnotic state lasts. Also, the memory of a printed 
page or the memory of certain letters may be forgotten. 
I once hypnotized a man and made him read all his 
a’s as w’s, his u’s as v’s, and his b’s as x’s. . . . Hyp¬ 
notism may act upon the five senses of the body as well 
as upon the emotions.” 


LESSON 52. 

THE SLEEP-CONDITION—(Continued). 

Professor James Coates, an English authority, gives 
the following method employed by him in producing 
the hypnotic sleep-condition: “The practitioner should 
not force results, cause a patient to stare too long at a 
bright object, or unduly stimulate any of the senses. He 
should not seek to force psychical development in the 



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way of extraordinary play of the psychic faculty, clair¬ 
voyance, clairaudience, etc.; and at the conclusion of 
each sitting all suggestions should be neutralized before 
waking the patient; and finally, care should be taken 
to see that the patient is agreeably and fully awak¬ 
ened to the normal state again. These remarks apply 
especially to experimental investigations and prac¬ 
tices. . . . 

How to Produce Hypnosis. 

“The induction of hypnosis is the pons asinorum of 
all beginners. The patient is invited to take a seat on 
an easy chair, or asked to lie on a sofa (with his back 
to the light, which should shine on the face of the 
hypnotist). He is further invited to make himself com¬ 
fortable, think of nothing in particular, not to be over¬ 
anxious, and simply—as far as lies in his power—follow 
the directions given. His muscles should be relaxed, all 
limbs flexed, hands and arms comfortably bestowed; 
while the hypnotist is just the very opposite, his muscles 
are braced, and he is correspondingly positive, alert, 
and self-confident, as the patient is, or ought to be, nega¬ 
tive and receptive. The next step is to quietly arouse 
the patient’s attention and keep it. "We find it helpful 
to our purpose that the patient’s eyes should be closed. 

How to Give Suggestions. 

“The patient in a chair, the hypnotist (standing erect 
within an easy distance on one side) speaks in quiet, 
kind but firm, and decisive voice, suggesting both 


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assurance and comfort. He holds the first two fingers 
of the right hand from within five or six inches of the 
patient’s eyes and slightly above them. He asks the 
patient to look steadily at the fingers, and tells him that 
in a short time he (the patient) will experience the 
hypnotic influence. He tells the patient that if sleep, or 
a sleepy receptive state, takes place, etc., he must ‘just 
quietly give way to it, and all will be well.’ While 
this talk is quietly and amiably going on, the patient 
continues looking at these non-excitable objects. In a 
quieter tone the hypnotist commences the ‘sleep talk,’ 
and as he goes on, his tone becomes more and more 
muffled and monotonous. 

The Sleep Suggestions. 

“He proceeds: ‘You are getting restful, easy, 
drowsy, and inclined to sleep, drowsy and inclined to 
sleep; restful, easy, and inclined to sleep’ (repeated, 
slowly, several times). ‘Your sight is becoming dim’ 
(a fact if the patient has been looking steadily at 
fingers). ‘Your sight is getting dim; your eyelids are 
heavy; you are feeling sleepy, S-L-E-E-P-Y. You can¬ 
not keep your eyes open. You are feeling sleepy, 
sleepy, sleepy, sleepy; you are feeling sleepy, sleepy, 
sleepy, S-L-E-E-P-Y’ (several times with slight varia¬ 
tions). ‘You are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping, soundly; 
soundly sleeping; sleeping, sleeping, sleeping, soundly 
sleeping, soundly sleeping, sleeping soundly’ (several 
times). ‘You are sleeping, sleeping, soundly, soundly, 
sleeping; asleep, sound asleep, asleep, asleep, sound 


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asleep. Sound asleep, you are sound asleep; you are 
sleeping soundly; SOUND ASLEEP!’ (several times; 
the last words more decisively, but not louder).” 

The above is an excellent description of the typical 
suggestions in sleep-condition hypnosis. It may be 
safely followed by the student and experimenter. The 
description is continued in our next lesson. 


LESSON 53. 

THE SLEEP-CONDITION (Continued). 

Professor Coates continues as follows in his descrip¬ 
tion of the method of producing the sleep-condition in 
hypnosis: 

The Final Steps. 

“Meanwhile the eyelids have drooped, trembled 
and closed; a slight alteration in the breathing has 
taken place, and other sleep symptoms have shown 
themselves. The tone of the voice is now to be 
slightly raised, and the last sentence slightly altered 
and repeated, and the patient passes into a slight doze, 
or into a deeper state. The former is quite sufficient 
in the majority of cases for healing purposes. How¬ 
ever, it is best to proceed further. The hypnotist, 
raising his voice slightly, repeats the sleep sugges¬ 
tions, while making passes gently and soothingly over 
the face and form of the patient, and assuring him 



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that ‘you are soundly sleeping, sleeping soundly, 
sound asleep, sound asleep, asleep, asleep, asleep, 
asleep, asleep, asleep, soundly asleep, sleeping soundly, 
sleep, sleep, soundly/ 

Ready for Commanding Suggestions. 

“The next step is to see what state the patient is in; 
the repose, the heavy breathing, are helpful indica¬ 
tions; but, should there be any doubt, the operator 
raises one of the eyelids gently, when one or two things 
will happen—the patient will wake up, or will remain 
quiescent, showing only the white of the eye. He is in 
the hypnotic state. He is now in a condition to re¬ 
ceive suggestions suitable to the case. These are re¬ 
ceived by the Subliminal Mind, fully appreciated, and 
acted upon. 

Refractory Cases. 

“But suppose, as often happens, that the patient 
does not experience anything, is not receptive, or is 
not hypnotized; what then? Does not this look like 
failure? No. The practical hypnotist knows that 
the most difficult cases are overcome in the course of 
a few sittings— that the effect of his suggestions are 
accumulative; that as soon as the obstructions of ner¬ 
vous restlessness, fear, anxiety, doubt, in the patient 
are overcome, success is assured. . . . The steady 
gaze, the sleep suggestions of voice and touch, and if 
need be passes, are bound to tell in the majority of 
cases, from one to five sittings. That the patient is 
slow to respond, or be affected, should cause no un- 


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easiness. Such cases turn out the very best, and 
eventually enter the state with surprising suddenness. 

Perseverance Needed. 

“Tact, patience and perseverance, in the operator, is 
hound to tell. A patient may be refractory, without 
meeting it. Temperament, fear, too much anxiety, 
state of health, inability to concentrate attention, etc. 
—one or all combined may delay induction of hyp¬ 
nosis. This has to be achieved. The patient is to be 
assured that a quiet, restful condition (semi-somno¬ 
lence) without sleep is beneficial. And that it is the 
purport of the first sitting to obtain this quiescent 
state, which will be deepened in subsequent sittings. 

Post-Hypnotic Suggestions. 

“Both the state of suggestibility—hypnosis—and 
the efficacy of the suggestions can be increased by 
post-hypnotic suggestions. They are given something 
after this fashion: Just before the termination of the 
sitting, assure or suggest to the patient that he or she 
will enter more fully into the state at the next sitting. 

Giving the Suggestions. 

“When by watching the altered breathing, or slight 
differences in pulse or action of the eyelids, the hyp¬ 
notist is satisfied that the patient is in a quiescent or 
suggestible state, he then, without experimenting, 
raising an arm or telling the patient that he cannot 


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open his eyes, may proceed to give his suggestions, 
which should be given—without monotone— in a clear, 
distinct, hopeful, and emphatic manner.’’ 


LESSON 54. 

THE SLEEP CONDITION—(Continued). 

Professor Coates gives the following description of 
the physical symptoms of sleep-condition hypnosis: 

Symptoms of Hypnosis. 

“A state of hypnosis being induced, one or other of 
the following signs will be noticed in the hypnotized: 
A dullness comes over the eyes and the eyelids grad¬ 
ually sink or close as the hypnotic influence takes 
effect. There is a rotary upward movement of the 
eyeballs, as in natural sleep or approximation thereto. 
There is sometimes a tremor in the closing eyelids, 
which may or may not wholly cover the eyes. Should 
the eyes be open, the expression is— expressionless. 
The features are about as mobile as a mask. There is 
more or less torpor, arms and legs sluggish. The 
respiration will be quiet or heavy, and the pulse, as a 
rule, low and even. Consciousness varies with depth 
of state. The patient may remember all that has been 
said to him, or may not, just as he is in semi-somnolent, 
somnolent, somnambulistic, or in deeper trance.” 



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The Subsequent State. 

After the sleep-condition has been induced fully, the 
subject is awakened in the usual manner, and then 
placed in a lighter hypnotic condition—a sleep-waking 
state—when the usual suggestions are given to him, 
just as we have described in the preceding lessons 
regarding waking-state hypnosis. The phenomena ob¬ 
tained under these conditions will undoubtedly present 
slightly different features, in some respects, from those 
of the waking-state. The subject in the waking-state 
presents the appearance of concentrated attention, 
while in the sleep-waking state he appears to be acting 
in a dream or daze—an automaton in the hands of the 
hypnotist. In the latter condition, the subject’s outer 
or objective mind is almost entirely quiescent, and his 
inner or Subliminal Mind in almost unconditioned 
activity. 


The Typical Method. 

The method given in the preceding lesson—that of 
Professor Coates—is typical of the methods employed 
by the best experimenters. Of course each hypnotist 
adapts his method according to his own peculiar tastes 
or preferences, but the general principles of the 
methods are the same. In works upon hypnotism one 
often finds many methods given, but a little analysis 
will soon show that they are all but variations upon the 
one general method, such as we have given you in the 
words of Professor Coates. The student may adapt 


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this method to his own tastes and inclinations, always, 
however, adhering to the general principles given. As 
he practices and experiments, he will gain valuable 
experience regarding the handling of individual cases, 
which cannot well be taught by anyone, but which 
must come by experience to all who practice hypnotism. 

Preferences Among Subjects. 

The student, moreover, will find that certain subjects 
prefer to be hypnotized in certain ways, and will un¬ 
consciously oppose any other method. In such cases, 
adapt your method to the preferences of the subject, 
and thus gain speedier results. Many subjects believe 
that the mesmeric passes of the hands will bring about 
the condition in them better than the other methods; 
wdiile others prefer the monotonous suggestions; and 
others hold firmly to the “staring’’ method. It is well 
to practice all of the methods, and thus have them 
ready for use when desired. The student should re¬ 
member, also, that repeated hypnosis deepens the effect. 
A poor subject may be often developed into a very good 
subject, by repeated hypnosis. Remember, further, that 
in hypnotism, as in everything else— practice makes 
perfect. 


LESSON 55. 

AWAKENING THE SUBJECT. 

Some writers upon the subject of hypnosis speak as 
if the arousing or awakening of the subject from the 



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hypnotic state were a special order of performance, 
requiring special words, methods, or procedure. This 
is a mistake. The awakening of a patient is simply 
the reversal of the method of producing the hypnosis. 
There are many methods, some good, some bad, and 
some indifferent. All accomplish their purpose, but 
some have a tendency to shock the subject and have 
been aptly compared to dashing a glass of cold water 
in his face—they will waken him at the cost of a 
shock. The better methods proceed more gradually, 
and arouse the patient naturally and easily. 

Preliminary Suggestion. 

It is best to give the patient a preliminary sugges¬ 
tion of approaching waking, as for instance the fol¬ 
lowing: “Now get ready to awaken. I shall wake you 
in a moment after I count THREE! Now, ready! 
one, two, THREE! WAKE UP! Wake up, that’s 
right. You’re all right and wide-awake, wide-awake, 
"WIDE-AWAKE!” Many operators make a few up¬ 
ward passes while giving the first suggestions of 
awakening. 

Removing the Illusions. 

After awakening the patient, be sure to remove the 
illusions produced by the experimental suggestions. 
Tell him that he is himself again, clear-minded, and 
strong-willed. It is also well to add, in some cases, 
that he can never be hypnotized by anyone else, un¬ 
less he is willing. This last removes the tendency, 


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sometimes observed, of hyper-suggestibility, and lia¬ 
bility to be influenced hypnotically by anyone. 

Good Advice to Students. 

Professor A. E. Carpenter, a well-known hypnotist, 
says: “In operating with a new subject, make a series 
of muscular suggestions before attempting to control 
the senses. Never begin by trying to put a subject to 
sleep, and if you see that he is disposed to go to sleep, 
do not permit him to do so. This was a mistake of 
the earlier operators in mesmerism, that, at times, 
led to serious difficulty. Before the sitter enters into 
the completely subjective state, you need to establish 
a thorough communication with him, so that you can 
direct your impressions and remove them at will. 
Hence the necessity of making a number of muscular 
suggestions before the subject enters the deeper con¬ 
dition involving control of the senses. In this way 
you get into close sympathetic relations with the sen¬ 
sitive, and are able to hold through the different 
stages that subsequently develop. To break or re¬ 
move the impression it is only necessary to say, ‘All 
Right V perhaps patting the subject lightly on the 
forehead, and he will usually change to the normal 
or subjective state at once. Once the subject becomes 
fully subjective, you have then only to get his atten¬ 
tion to obtain response again. 

In Exceptional Cases. 

“Sometimes, though very rarely, the impression 
does not break so easily, and the subject clings to the 


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suggestion, and perhaps gets very much excited. In 
a case of this kind, when the ordinary methods do 
not succeed in breaking the impression, you must ap¬ 
proach the subject very quietly, and placing your hand 
upon his head tell him in a firm command that he 
will go asleep. No matter how excited he is, he will 
be amenable to the suggestion of sleep, and under 
its influence become quiet at once, in which condition 
you should leave him until the agitation of the mind 
has completely subsided, and then aAvaken him in the 
usual way, and he will come out all right.’’ 

This phase of the subject is continued in the next 
lesson. 


LESSON 56. 

AWAKENING THE SUBJECT—(Continued). 

Professor Carpenter adds to what we have quoted 
in the preceding lesson: 

Cautionary Advice. 

“One of the most persistent impressions is that 
which arouses the combativeness and stirs the anger. 
Suggestions of this kind should be avoided, or in¬ 
dulged in with great care. Therefore, in all cases 
where there is extreme nervous excitement resulting 
in difficulty to remove the suggestion, put the subject 
to sleep. The tendency of the hypnotic condition is 
always toward sleep, and a new subject is some- 



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times likely to be very sleepy in the first experiments, 
and if the operator is not on his guard to prevent it, 
he may drop off into what the old operator called the 
magnetic sleep, and the French call the lethargic state. 
Should a subject enter this condition, it may be very 
difficult, if not impossible, to arouse him at will. If 
you employ the usual means to arouse him, and meet 
with no success, do not be alarmed; nothing has hap¬ 
pened except that a person has fallen into a deep 
sleep, and sleep is not likely to injure anyone. If then 
you cannot awaken him, do not resort to extreme 
measures or shocking methods to arouse him, but let 
him sleep until he can be easily awakened, or wakes 
himself, which he is sure to do when he has attained 
the full benefit of the rest needed. In making experi¬ 
ments for investigation or entertainments, one does 
not want sleep to intervene, and it can be easily 
avoided by watching the subject and preventing him 
from getting too sleepy.” 

Another Awakening Method. 

Some operators prefer to base the wakening sugges¬ 
tion on opening the eyes, instead of getting awake. 
They claim that the muscular suggestion is more read¬ 
ily and instinctively obeyed than the one concerning 
the senses. There is sound psychological reasoning 
behind this claim, and it should be remembered and 
used by student and experimenters. The awakening 
suggestion along these lines would be: “Now when 
I count five, you will open your eyes. Ready, now, 



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Ready! one, two, THREE! Eyes wide open, wide 
open, WIDE OPEN. You’re all right now, and wide¬ 
awake. WIDE-AWAKE!” 

More About Arousing the Subject. 

Dr. Cocke, whom we have quoted in the earlier les¬ 
sons, says on this subject of arousing the patient: 
“ Subjects will usually awaken of their own accord in 
a few minutes, from the lighter degrees of hypnosis, or, 
in some cases, in even a few seconds. The more pro¬ 
found hypnotic states will continue for some time 
when they are not interfered with by the hypnotist. 
There are almost as many methods of awakening a 
subject from the hypnotic state as there are of put¬ 
ting him into it. A subject who is hypnotized will 
usually awake when commanded to do so. I have 
frequently commanded subjects to count twelve, and 
tell him to wake up when the word ten is spoken. 
He may also be awakened by simply telling him that 
he is ‘all right’ and to open his eyes. If the hypnotic 
state has been induced by passes over the body, 
passes in the opposite direction will frequently arouse 
the subject. I have never had any difficulty in arous¬ 
ing a subject from the hypnotic sleep.” 

Confident Demeanor. 

The hypnotist should manage always to be self- 
possessed and self-confident—or at least to present 
the appearance of such. The slightest doubt or hesi¬ 
tancy on the part of the operator is often accepted 


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by the subject as a suggestion, and most annoying 
and perplexing situations sometimes arise therefrom. 
In the face of the operator should be written the 
spirit of the words of Mohammed, who prefaced his 

book by the statement: “There is no doubt here!” 


LESSON 57. 

PERPLEXING CONDITIONS. 

The student and experimenter of hypnotism often 
encounters unexpected and perplexing conditions 
among prospective subjects. The phenomena of hyp¬ 
notism attracts to it many queer characters, and per¬ 
sons of neurotic, hysterical temperament. Such per¬ 
sons sometimes express their peculiarities in a man¬ 
ner quite perplexing and startling to the new hyp¬ 
notist, who has not as yet accustomed himself to the 
psychology of neurotic, hysterical persons. A little 
experience, however, soon gives him the key to the 
apparent mystery, and as soon as he understands the 
mental make-up of these people, he is able to over¬ 
come their annoyances by a firm, positive mental atti¬ 
tude. The following instances, related by authorities 
of experience, will serve to illustrate this fact: 

Hysterical Subjects. 

Professor A. E. Carpenter (before quoted) says: 
“It sometimes happens in experimenting with a lady 




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that we have difficulty in the very beginning in con¬ 
sequence of hysterical conditions intervening. For in¬ 
stance, you may tell a lady sensitive that she cannot 
open her eyes, and she tries, and finding she can¬ 
not, becomes frightened and commences to throw her 
head back and struggle in such a way that, if she 
persists, she will produce spasmodic action of the 
muscles and end in a hysteric fit. This is very em¬ 
barrassing to the operator, and very frightful to the 
spectators. This, however, can be easily avoided. If 
such a case oceurs, the operator has only to tell her 
to stop her struggles, or stop trying to open her eyes 
and they will come open. The instant she stops 
struggling her eyes will come open and she will be 
all right. It is only because she is frightened. The 
operator need not fear to make further experiments, 
for she has gotten over her scare, and he will have 
no further trouble. Hysterical women often make the 
very best subjects. The operator must always pre¬ 
serve his self-possession. In other words, he must not 
get alarmed or rattled, to use a common expression, 
for much depends upon his firmness and apparent 
ability to cope with every contingency that may 
arise.” 


Counterfeit Subjects. 

Professor Cocke (previously quoted) says: “Hys- 
terical persons simulating the hypnotic state will at 
times act very remarkably indeed; their facial con¬ 
tortions are painful; they will make hideous noises, 


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and for the sake of confounding the operator, will 
refuse to desist at his command. At a public exhibi¬ 
tion of hypnotism given recently, at which I was pres¬ 
ent, an operator called a number of subjects from the 
audience. A hysterical individual came up with the 
others, and before any attempt was made to hyp¬ 
notize him at all he began the most dismal, hideous 
screeches ever heard, exceeding in wildness the yells 
of a maniac. He trembled, shook, and wept profusely. 
The hypnotizer could do absolutely nothing with him, 
and he made so much noise and performed such pe¬ 
culiar antics that he disturbed the whole perform¬ 
ance. Yet, to any one familiar with these conditions, 
it was apparent at once that he was seeking to draw 
attention to himself, and while he did succeed in pro¬ 
ducing upon himself the appearance of being in ex¬ 
treme distress, yet motives of vanity and egotism 
were apparent in all his actions. I subsequently 
found upon inquiry, that he was addicted to these 
ludicrous performances, when he frequented gather¬ 
ings where attempts were made to study hypnotism 
or other allied psychical phenomena. . . . There 

are, in all communities, certain neurotic individuals 
who have unbalanced nervous systems, and who seek 
distinction, especially in public gatherings, by mani¬ 
festations similar to the case just described. . . . 

Some persons when the attempt is made to hypnotize 
them, gaze fixedly at a bright object held near their 
eyes, and while the eyes become set and there is more 
or less rigidity, will refuse to obey any suggestion. 


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P s y cliic Science 


When the coin is withdrawn, they will stare fixedly 
into vacancy for some minutes, and then have an at¬ 
tack of hysteria, and afterward return to their normal 
state.” 

Learn to Detect Counterfeits. 

The student and investigator should also be on the 
lookout for persons pretending to be hypnotized, 
whereas they are not influenced in the slightest. A 
little experience with genuine cases of hypnosis will 
enable the hypnotist to distinguish between the real 
and the counterfeit without much trouble. 


LESSON 58. 

POST-HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS. 

In the literature of hypnotism the student will find 
much mention of what is called “ post-hypnotic sug¬ 
gestion.” By this is meant the giving of suggestions 
to a subject while under hypnosis, which will be car¬ 
ried into effect some time after he is brought out of 
that condition. For instance, the subject is suggested 
to to the effect that in exactly one hour from that 
time he will ask one of the company: “If a whale 
and a half cost a bushel and a half, how many miles 
is it to London town?” or some such silly sentence. 
If the subject is sufficiently suggestible, and the con¬ 
ditions are favorable, he will interrupt serious con¬ 
versation, at the hour named, and carry out the sug- 



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gestion as given. If the suggestion is that he shall 
stand on one foot, or any such feat, he will carry it 
out to the letter. The scientific investigators of hyp¬ 
nosis have recorded many instances of this kind, and 
the phenomena is accepted as well authenticated, by 
the best authorities. It requires a very good subject, 
however, to make the experiment a success. As a rule, 
it requires a subject who has frequently been hyp¬ 
notized—one who is in quite close rapport with the 
operator. 


Hidden Mental Impulses. 

Professor Bjornstrom says: “Although the memory 
of occurrences during hypnosis generally ceases on 
waking, yet the hallucination caused by the sugges¬ 
tion remains, as does also the impulse to action, im¬ 
parted in the same way; that this impulse lies com¬ 
pletely hidden from consciousness and memory until 
the time prescribed for the action has arrived; and 
that by suggestion the operator can thus cause an 
action on a certain future day and hour. . . . One 
who performs an action on account of suggestion, is 
completely ignorant of the real motive of the act. ITe 
feels an irresistible impulse which he cannot compre¬ 
hend or explain. Usually the action is performed 
without further reasoning; but sometimes he tries to 
create some motive. He believes himself to act volun¬ 
tarily; he is ignorant of the outside will that governs 
him.” 


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Psychic Science 

Long-Time Suggestions. 


Beaunis relates a ease in his own experience as a 
hypnotist, where the post-hypnotic suggestion was 
carried into effect (according to the suggestion) six 
months afterward. Liegeois reports a case in which 
he succeeded with a post-hypnotic suggestion of one 
year’s duration. Other authorities give similar testi¬ 
mony. 

The Hypnotic Alarm-Clock 

Bjornstrom says of this phenomenon: “The instances 
are sufficiently clear and are based upon sufficiently re¬ 
liable authority to prove fully that an idea, inspired 
even long before, during hypnotic sleep, reappears 
spontaneously in the brain at a certain time, without 
appearing to memory or consciousness during the 
whole interval. Nay! This hidden, latent memory 
seems to be much surer, much more reliable, than the 
wakeful one, which very easily forgets details that are 
minutely preserved by the latent somnambulistic mem¬ 
ory. How shall we explain this strange phenomenon? 
That is no easy matter. For this purpose, the brain 
has been compared to an alarm clock which can be ar¬ 
ranged so that it rings and wakens the sleeper at a cer¬ 
tain minute.” 

The Subliminal Memory. 

The later authorities explain post-hypnotic sugges¬ 
tion by the fact of the claimed infallible memory of the 



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Subliminal Mind, which unerringly records, and re¬ 
calls the suggestion at the precise moment set for its 
recollection and action. 

Developing Subjects by Post-Hypnosis. 

Some hypnotists have given their subjects the sug¬ 
gestion that at the next sitting the subject will fall 
into the deepest hypnotic sleep at once, at the first 
command of the hypnotist. In this way they rapidly 
develop difficult subjects. 

A Dangerous Power. 

The phenomenon of post-hypnosis is among the most 
wonderful of all psychic phenomena. It opens the 
door to marvellous results in the hands of worthy op¬ 
erators, but alas! also opens the door to deplorable 
results from unscrupulous practitioners of hypnotism. 


LESSON 59. 

POST-HYPNOTIC SUGGESTION—(Continued). 

Post-hypnotic suggestion also gives the explanation 
to many phases of hypnotic phenomena that have puz¬ 
zled the investigators. For instance, the instantaneous 
hypnosis manifested by certain good subjects upon 
the receipt of a letter or telephone message from the 
hypnotist. The secret lies in the fact that the subject 
has previously been given post-hypnotic suggestions 



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that he or she will be hypnotized upon the receipt of 
the letter or message. To those gathered around the 
subject, with the hypnotist miles away from the scene, 
it often appeared that the hypnosis was produced by 
telepathy or similar methods. But a moment’s con¬ 
sideration will show that the whole occurrence was 
the direct result of the previously given post-hypnotic 
suggestion. 

4 ‘When and How” in Post-Hypnosis. 

It must be remembered that the post-hypnotic sug¬ 
gestion may be that such and such a thing may be 
done at such and such a time; or, on the other hand, 
that it be done when certain other things happened. 
The hypnotic alarm clock may thus be set either to 
time or happening in the future. 

Startling Effects. 

Hypnotists often prepare startling and apparently 
wonderful results by means of ingenious post-hypnotic 
suggestions. For instance, they will give a subject a 
post-hypnotic suggestion that upon the utterance of a 
certain “key-word” the subject will fall into a state 
of hypnosis, and will, without further command, per¬ 
form a series of complicated feats. Professional hyp¬ 
notists, in this way, are able to drill their subjects, and 
thereby give a dramatic semblance to their entertain¬ 
ments which would otherwise be lacking. 


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Possible Improper Use. 

It has been held by some authorities that this form 
of hypnotic suggestion is especially dangerous in the 
hands of an unscrupulous operator, inasmuch as the 
subject can be made to do things apparently of his 
or her own free will, the hypnotist perhaps being at 
the other side of the ocean at the time, while the sub¬ 
ject really is a mere automaton. The answer made by 
other authorities to this is that the same rule that pre¬ 
vents a hypnotic subject from doing anything immoral 
or criminal in ordinary hypnosis will also act in the 
same way in post-hypnotic suggestion. But if the sub¬ 
ject be of a criminal or immoral character or nature, 
this argument would not hold. This phase of hypno¬ 
tism should be carefully investigated by scientific and 
legal authorities, in order that more light upon the 
possibilities of its improper use may be had. 

Common Examples. 

It is urged by some authorities that the action of 
post-hypnotic suggestion is but an intensified form 
of similar everyday suggestions made by one person 
to another, such as: “You will be sick if you eat that 
dish;” or “you will find that that person will prove 
disagreeable to you after a short time,” etc., etc. Com¬ 
mon experience shows us that many persons are af¬ 
fected by ordinary suggestions of this kind that are 
“put into their heads” by their friends and associates. 
In this, as in all other forms of suggestion, we see that 
the simple form of every suggestion may be had in 


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ordinary conditions, and that hypnosis, in its various 
states merely exaggerates or intensifies the effect. 
Without suggestion, hypnosis would amount to nothing 
but sleepiness. Suggestion is the moving spirit, and 
should be studied in all of its phases by the student of 
psychic phenomena. 


LESSON 60. 

STAGES OF HYPNOSIS. 

There always has been much dispute among the 
authorities regarding the various “stages” of hypnosis. 
The classification varies greatly. At the last, the classi¬ 
fication is more or less arbitrary, and the lines of dis¬ 
tinction between the various stages are often lost sight 
of, for they blend into each other, and form various 
combinations. The following classification, given by 
Richet (following Charcot), is as good as any, and 
gives the student a clear idea of the several distinct 
phases of the phenomena : 

Cataleptic Stage. 

“Charcot accepts three main stages: (1) The cata¬ 
leptic, (2) the lethargic, and (3) the somnambulistic. 
The Cataleptic Stage is distinguished by immobility or 
statue-like attitude. The eyes are open and staring; 
the tears accumulate and run over for want of motion 
in the eyelids; respiration has almost ceased. Without 
apparent fatigue, the limbs retain the most difficult 



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positions in which they are placed, but make no resist¬ 
ance to change of attitude. Muscular reflex-action is 
absent, as also the increased nervous irritability of the 
muscles, characteristic of the lethargic state. By me¬ 
chanical irritation of muscles and nerves, contraction 
is not produced, but rather a loss of elasticity. The 
skin is insensible to the strongest irritation, but cer¬ 
tain senses, such as the muscular sense, vision, and 
especially hearing, partly at least retain their activity, 
by which they are susceptible by suggestion. A com¬ 
municated position produces ideas in the brain corre¬ 
sponding to the attitude; it also produces mimic ex¬ 
pressions and motions in the same direction. So, for 
instance, if the fingers of the cataleptic person are 
placed on his mouth in kissing position, a smile will 
appear on his lips. 


Lethargic Stage. 

“The Lethargic Stage is characterized by complete 
insensibility of the skin and mucous membranes, in¬ 
creased irritability of the motor nerves, and as a rule 
insensibility to suggestion or imparted hallucination. 
The eyes remain closed or half closed, turned upward 
and inward, the eye-lids generally trembling. The 
body is perfectly relaxed, the limbs are lax and pen¬ 
dant, and fall heavily back, if lifted and then released; 
respiration is deep and quickened. By opening the 
eyes, the lethargic stage may be at once transferred 
to the cataleptic stage. 


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Somnambulistic Stage. 

“The Somnambulistic Stage is characterized by the 
same insensibility to pain, of the skin and mucous mem¬ 
branes, as in the lethargic stage, but the senses are 
often quickened to a high degree; the muscular irrita¬ 
bility is normal; there is no increased sensitiveness as 
during lethargy. The eyes are generally closed, but 
may also be half or wholly open, yet without winking 
of the eye-lids.” 


Other Classifications. 

Bjornstrom says, regarding the Charcot classifica¬ 
tion, above given: “The hypnotic phenomena, how¬ 
ever, do not appear as regularly and decidedly as 
in the stages defined by Charcot, nor in the order in 
which they have been set forth. There are numerous 
transitory or mixed stages, and many observers have 
found the order reversed, the subjects first entering 
the somnambulistic stage and then afterward the lethar¬ 
gic and cataleptic stages. As habit here plays an im¬ 
portant role, they may depend upon a certain training, 
and upon the order in which the hypnotism takes place. 
We must remember, therefore, that Charcot’s system 
is to be understood merely as a general outline, from 
which there are many variations. The School of Nancy 
does not cling so vigorously to the difference between 
the three stages; they divide the hypnosis into several 
degrees from the lightest to the deepest sleep; attribute 
more importance to suggestion, and have shown that 


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163 


hypnotism can be produced not only in hysterical 
women but also in healthy persons, both men and 
women. Finally, they have very clearly set forth the 
great practical significance of hypnotism.’’ 

Practical Simple Classification. 

For practical purposes, the student may consider 
the stages of hypnotism as three, as follows: (1) The 
waking stage, (2) the sleep-waking stage, (3) the deep- 
sleep stage. Each of these three stages has been 
dwelt upon in these lessons. 


LESSON 61. 

DANGERS OF HYPNOTISM. 

The authorities have always been divided regarding 
the question of the possible dangers attendant upon 
the practice of hypnotism. According to some, hyp¬ 
nosis contains within itself the possibility of great 
danger in the direction of giving the hypnotist undue 
influence over the will of those coming under his influ¬ 
ence. Great possible danger to morals and to private 
property has been seen by some writers on the subject. 
On the other hand, a great number of eminent authori¬ 
ties have asserted positively that no person under the 
influence of hypnosis can be induced to do anything 
calculated to injure himself or herself financially or 
otherwise, nor will he or she commit, in the hypnotic 



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state, any act contrary to the moral convictions of the 
person while in the normal state. The truth of the 
matter, as usual, seems to lie between the two extremes 
of opinion as above stated. 

The Possible Danger. 

While the evidence seems to conclusively show that 
the Subliminal Mind of the subject tends to protect him 
or her from acts contrary to self-interest or opposed 
to his or her ordinary moral convictions, it remains 
a fact that a person frequently hypnotized undoubtedly 
comes under the influence of the hypnotist to a great 
extent. And in the case of an unscrupulous, dishonest, 
or immoral hypnotist, there is undoubtedly always the 
chance of the subject gradually coming under his influ¬ 
ence, and being swayed in judgment and will to a 
great extent. One has but to consider the instances of 
mental influence over the will and morals of unhyp¬ 
notized persons, in ordinary life, to realize the possi¬ 
bilities of this personal influence being highly magni¬ 
fied and increased by constant rapport conditions, and 
habitual subservience of will. 

Instances in Ordinary States. 

In ordinary everyday life we see persons of strong, 
positive personality so dominating others of weaker 
mental and moral fibre, that the latter will part with 
valuable property without any just consideration or 
return. The records of the “confidence men” show 
the power of one personality over another, outside the 


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165 


realm of hypnotism. And, in the same way, we are 
aware of the nefarious practices of the seducers of 
women, in all classes of society. There are certain 
men who seemingly attract women to them as the flame 
attracts the moths—and the fate of the women and 
the moths are identical in too many cases. Now, im¬ 
agine a confidence man, or one of these seducers of 
women, acquiring control over their prospective vic¬ 
tims by habitual and repeated hypnosis, and what may 
be expected as the result? In hypnosis, all suggestions 
have an exaggeration of magnified effect and force, 
and why should not suggestions along the lines above 
mentioned have an increased effect over those of ordi¬ 
nary conditions? 

Plain Though Unpleasant Facts. 

It is easy to imagine a case in which a man naturally 
cautious and careful, while protected by his Subliminal 
Mind from making a foolish business deal during hyp¬ 
nosis, may gradually grow to rely upon, believe in, and 
have confidence in the hypnotizer to the extent that in 
time he may be influenced in the manner of the confi¬ 
dence man. And it is equally easy to imagine an 
affectionate woman, while of good character and pro¬ 
tected in the same way, gradually growing to depend 
upon the hypnotist and learning to care for him to 
such an extent that in time she will fall a victim to 
his seductive wiles. It is a well-known fact that women 
grow to depend upon and care for those under whose 
hypnotic influence they have come. These are plain 


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facts which every student of hypnotism should con¬ 
sider. Those who advocate laws designed to punish 
these hypnotic vampires should be encouraged by all 
honest hypnotists. Every scientific student of hypno¬ 
tism should lend his influence in this direction. 


LESSON 62. 

DANGERS OF HYPNOTISM—(Continued). 

Dr. Cocke (previously quoted) says: “Much has been 
written on the subject which is utterly absurd to any 
one conversant with the conditions occurring in hyp¬ 
notized subjects. Many of the fears which exist in 
the popular mind are utterly groundless, while many, 
it seems to me, of the real dangers have never yet 
been recorded. ... I personally do not believe that 
the average individual in the hypnotic state could be 
made to commit crimes. Professor James states that 
while for a time the will and other faculties are in 
abeyance, they are not wholly extinguished, and if 
the command is very repugnant to the hypnotized sub¬ 
ject he will not go beyond certain limits in its 
execution. 


The Defensive Argument. 

“It is generally believed that the hypnotic state is 
likely to weaken and paralyze the will of the subject 
when he is otherwise in a normal condition. Many 
persons will object to being hypnotized because, as they 



Psychic Science 


167 


express it, they are ‘ afraid of losing their wills. ’ I do 
not believe that there is any danger whatever of this. 
I have no evidence (and I have studied a large number 
of hypnotized subjects) that hypnotism will render a 
subject less capable of exercising his will when he 
is relieved from the hypnotic trance. I do not believe 
that it increases in any way his susceptibility to ordi¬ 
nary suggestion made in ordinary conversation. 

* ‘Overpersuaded.’ * 

* ‘I once had a business man tell me, after he had 
been induced to commit a folly in signing a note, that 
he did not know what made him do it. I inquired 
minutely into the circumstances and found that he had 
been, as it is ordinarily expressed, ‘overpersuaded.’ 
Now this condition of overpersuading, or persuading 
against one’s better judgment, is not similar to, or 
identical with, the hypnotic state. The crafty rascal 
with the winning smile who cheats you out of your 
every dollar does not entrance you, nor does he render 
you in any way unconscious. He studies the vulner¬ 
able parts in man’s nature, and works skilfully upon 
him through these. His victim’s weakness may be 
either greed, excessive sympathy, profound vanity, or 
the inability to reason clearly. Upon one or all of 
these the cunning man relies for success in dealing 
with his victim.” 

But, “Supposing”- 

But, suppose that the “victim” has first been ren- 



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clered amenable to the repeated hypnotic suggestions 
of the “crafty rascal.” Would he not more readily, 
habitually, and naturally accept the ordinary sugges¬ 
tions, arguments, or wheedling of his hypnotizer in 
the waking state? Suggestion, outside of hypnosis, is 
a most effective mental weapon. 

A Real Danger. 

Dr. Cocke continues: “There is no immediate dan¬ 
ger of hypnotism in itself being used for the purpose 
of unduly influencing the conduct of the mind. That very 
mysterious power which some men exercise over others 
and over the opposite sex, does not seem to me to be 
akin to any of the hypnotic states. As I said previously, 
the influence depends upon the ability of one man to 
appeal to the avarice or the vanity, or to the sympa¬ 
thies of another. The real danger of hypnotism lies 
in the fact that, owing to the mystery that surrounds 
it, it may, in the imaginative and enthusiastic, produce 
by its very mystery a disturbed condition of the mind 
similar to, if not identical with, religious monomania. 

. . . Hypnotism is not a magical power by which one 
man can permanently control or rule the destinies of 
another, or in which women can be robbed of their 
virtue, or the wealthy of their property; and yet cer¬ 
tain states of mental enfeeblement may be produced, 
not by hypnotism, per se, but by the credulity which 
was a part of the subject’s nature before he or she 
submitted to the process of hypnotization.” 

This subject will be continued in our next lesson. 


Psychic Science 


169 


LESSON 63. 

DANGERS OF HYPNOTISM—(Continued). 

Dr. Cocke has also the following to say on the subject 
of the possible dangers of hypnotism: “The element 
of faith is a very important element in the production 
of hypnotism. It is this element, when misused, that 
makes hypnotism a dangerous thing. The love of the 
miraculous and belief in the supernatural are, in many 
cases, the twin sisters of laziness, and men have ever 
sought through utilizing these to obtain their ends, and 
to earn their daily bread without toil. The dangers of 
public exhibitions, made ludicrous as they are by the 
operators, should be condemned by all intelligent men 
and women, not from the danger of hypnotism in itself 
so much as from the liability of the performers to dis¬ 
turb the mental poise of that large mass of ill-balanced 
individuals which make up no inconsiderable part of 
society.” 


Radical Views. 

Other eminent authorities take quite a different view 
from that of Dr. Cocke, as, for instance, the following 
from Professor Luys, the eminent French authority on 
hypnotism, who says in one of his published lectures: 

'You can not only oblige this defenceless being, who is 
incapable of opposing the slightest resistance, to give 
from hand to hand anything you choose, but you can 


170 


Psychic Science 


also make him sign a promise, draw up a bill of ex¬ 
change, or any kind of agreement. You can make him 
write his will, which he will hand over to you, and of 
which he will never know the existence. He will be 
ready to fulfil the minutest legal formalities, and will 
do so with a calm, serene, and natural manner, which 
would deceive the most expert law officers. The som¬ 
nambulists will not hesitate either, you may be sure, to 
make a denunciation or bear false witness. They are, 
I repeat, the passive instruments of your will. For in¬ 
stance, take E. She will at my bidding write out and 
sign in my favor a donation of forty pounds. In a 
criminal point of view the subject, under certain sug¬ 
gestions, will make false accusations, accuse this or that 
person, and maintain with the greatest assurance that 
he has assisted at an imaginary crime.” 

Those Easily Influenced. 

Dr. Cocke, commenting on the above statement of 
Professor Luys, says: “As will be seen from the cpio- 
tation, M. Luys evidently believes that he can convert 
his subjects into mere puppets. This may be true in 
the laboratory when the hypnotist has a few hysterical 
young men and women who will, under such circum¬ 
stances, do what they are told; but the conditions cited 
by him are certainly exceptional, and are not likely to 
occur in the ordinary application of hypnotism. . . . 
Let me state in closing that hypnotism is dangerous 
only when misused, or when it is applied to that large 
class of persons who are inherently unsound, especially 


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171 


if that mysterious thing that we call credulity predomi¬ 
nates to a very great extent over the reason and over 
other faculties of the mind. ’ ’ 

The Source of Danger. 

The majority of the authorities apparently overlook 
the possible danger of the practice of post-hypnotic 
suggestions, as stated in preceding lessons. It would 
seem that in this phase of hypnotism lies the greatest of 
all its possible dangers. For by it the feelings of the 
subject may be gradually changed by appropriate sug¬ 
gestions, and so finally brought around to a point where 
the subject will accept suggestions or accede to de¬ 
mands that he or she would have originally opposed 
and resisted, either in the waking or hypnotic condi¬ 
tion. Suggestion, it is well known, will build up char¬ 
acter. Like all other natural laws, it will work in two 
directions, for evil as well as good. And it is unfortu¬ 
nately too true that in some cases it has undoubtedly 
been employed for breaking down character. The per¬ 
son who would do this is a criminal at heart, and the 
law should deal with him accordingly. Unfortunately, 
such villains often possess cunning and manage to so 
conceal their nefarious practices that it is difficult to 
detect them in the acts. 


172 


Psychic Science 


LESSON 64. 

THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE. 

At one time regarded as the veriest superstition pos¬ 
sible only to the most credulous minds, to-day thought- 
transference is an accepted fact of psychic phenomena, 
admitted by many of the world’s greatest thinkers and 
denied only by the ultra-conservative. While there 
have been many theories advanced to account for it, 
and there is much dispute regarding its extent and the 
laws governing it, thought-transference as a valid fact 
of psychic science is practically undisputed at the pres¬ 
ent time. 

Eminent Authority. 

Several years ago, at a meeting of the English Society 
for Psychical Research, the Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour 
(later Prime Minister of England) pronounced telep¬ 
athy an established fact, and other persons equally 
eminent have expressed a similar opinion. Sir William 
Crookes, the eminent English scientist, has repeatedly 
expressed his conviction that telepathy is an established 
fact. In an address before the Royal Society, several 
years ago, he said: “Were I now introducing for the 
first time these inquiries to the world of science, I 
should choose a starting point different from that of 
old. It would be well to start with telepathy; with 
the fundamental law, as I believe it to be, that thoughts 
and images may be transferred from one mind to an- 




Psychic Science 


173 


other without the agency of the recognized organs of 
sense—that knowledge may enter the human mind with¬ 
out being communicated in any hitherto known or rec¬ 
ognized ways. ... A formidable range of phenomena 
must be scientifically sifted before we effectually grasp 
a faculty so strange, so bewildering, and for ages so 
inscrutable, as the direct action of mind upon mind.” 

What Is Telepathy? 

Telepathy is defined by the Society for Psychical 
Research as “the communication of impressions of any 
kind from one mind to another, independent of the 
recognized channels of sense.” A member of that so¬ 
ciety has stated that “The distance between agent and 
recipient, which the derivation of the word ‘feeling at 
a distance’ implies, need, in fact, only be such that no 
known operation of the senses can bridge it. Telepathy 
may thus exist between two persons in the same room 
as truly as between one person in London and one in 
New York.” 

Psychical Research. 

The English Society for Psychical Research devoted 
much time, study, and investigation to the subject of 
telepathy, and its reports, contained in many volumes, 
give to the world a mass of evidence which cannot be 
gainsaid. To those interested in the subject, the study 
of these reports will well repay the time expended. 
The reports may be found on the shelves of the major¬ 
ity of the large public libraries of this and other coun- 


174 


P sy chic Science 


tries. Many books have been written on the subject 
in which are recorded examples and statements of 
actual experiments which have been conducted in all 
parts of the world. 

Theories Not Essential. 

The majority of the theories advanced to account for 
telepathy are based on the idea of “ thought-vibra¬ 
tions” or “thought-waves’’ which are held to pass 
through the ether in a manner akin to the waves of 
electricity, light, etc. But the hypothesis of the Sub¬ 
liminal Mind (under its several names) bids fair to 
supersede these theories, as it more clearly and simply 
accounts for the observed phenomena. In a preceding 
lesson we have presented the explanation of Hudson, 
in which he describes the action of the subjective mind 
in telepathy. But, aside from any theory whatsoever, 
the facts of telepathy exist, and may be demonstrated 
to the satisfaction of anyone who will take the time 
and trouble to make the experiments. 


LESSON 65. 

TELEPATHY. 

Dr. Cocke, the authority on hypnotism, says of telep¬ 
athy: “Many are sceptical of such a thing as thought- 
transference being a possibility. If this scepticism is 



Psychic Science 


175 


intelligent, I, and, for that matter, the whole thinking 
world, will welcome it. If it is born of ignorance plus 
conceit, it will only harm him who is in need of enlighten¬ 
ment. . . . From the cases cited by writers such as M. 
Richet, and by the Society for Psychical Research, as 
well as those arising in my own personal experience, 
it is evident that phenomena exist which would lead 
naturally to the supposition that the mind may have 
other channels of communication than the ordinary 
ones. I do not assert dogmatically that it has, and 
granting that it has, I have no theory to explain the 
phenomena. I do not know what the essence of 
thought is, or whether the mind is merely associated 
with or is the result of the chemico-physical life of 
the nervous system. It may be both. ... I would 
strongly urge that the work be continued in America 
upon the lines laid down by the British Society for 
Psychical Research. It is argued that nothing is ac¬ 
complished by adding more evidence to prove phe¬ 
nomena already clearly demonstrated. I reply that 
we can never make new discoveries in this field with¬ 
out constant experimentation. Mighty truths are de¬ 
veloped slowly; they are not discovered wholly by one 
individual. The locomotive engine is not the child of 
one brain, but the product of many. So the subjects 
of telepathy, hypnotism, and kindred topics will not 
be developed or mastered by any one mind. Probably 
the question of telepathy will not be settled satisfac¬ 
torily in the few remaining years of the nineteenth cen¬ 
tury, but it will be settled. Instruments will be found 


176 


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of which we are now ignorant. Our present crude 
methods of investigation will be improved.” 

Minds En Rapport. 

Professor Quackenbos says: “The laws that govern 
telepathic intercourse are of supreme concern to hu¬ 
manity. The fact that minds brought into hypnotic 
contact through the approximation of the physical 
bodies they tenant can exchange thoughts, feelings, 
ideas, knowledge, convictions, suggests the possibility 
that minds temporarily separated and to all purposes 
discarnate in natural sleep or in hypnosis, or even in 
states of reverie—transliminal selves free to traverse 
the world and its purlieus—may communicate without 
reference to space limitations, and are mutually im¬ 
pressed, exalted, and refined.” 

Transcendent Thought. 

Professor Barrett says: “By what process can one 
mind affect another at a distance? We may talk of 
brain-waves; but that is only unscientific talk—we 
know nothing of the kind. . . . We must patiently wait 
for more light on the mode of transmission of thought 
through space. It may well be that thought transcends 
both matter and space, and has no relation to either. 
Certainly it seems very probable that every centre of 
consciousness is likely to react telepathically upon 
every other centre.” 

Special Responsiveness. 

Balfour says: “If telepathic interaction belongs to 
the essence of all minds, it seems not unreasonable to 



Psychic Science 


177 


draw the conclusion that most, if not all, evidential 
cases of telepathy are likely to be cases in which a spe¬ 
cial and exceptional telepathic responsiveness or rap¬ 
port has been established—we do not yet know how, 
save that a particular direction of attention and will 
seem to have something to do with it—between a lim¬ 
ited number of individual minds.” 

Universal Telepathy. 

We are of the opinion that thought-transference is 
possible between any two minds, but that special con¬ 
ditions favor the transmission of thought. We believe, 
moreover, that in the theory of the Subliminal Mind is 
to be found a sufficient explanation of the phenomena 
of thought-transference and kindred phenomena. But 
we shall spend no more time on theories—let us get 
down to the solid facts of the phenomena. 


LESSON 66. 

MIND-READING. 

One of the simplest and most elementary forms of 
thought-transference is that commonly known as 
i 1 mind-reading. ” It is the natural point for the be¬ 
ginner to start his experimental work. There are au¬ 
thorities who seek to discredit this form of thought- 
transference by asserting that the phenomenon is en¬ 
tirely the result of “muscle-reading,” and that the 
operator is guided entirely by the involuntary or uncon- 



178 


Psychic Science 


scious muscular movements and impulses of tlie other 
person, rather than by thought-transference from his 
mind. While there is certainly such a thing as muscle¬ 
reading, and unconscious muscular movements, and 
while the phenomena of mind-reading may often be 
cleverly imitated or counterfeited by reason thereof, 
nevertheless every honest experimentor in mind-read¬ 
ing will be convinced by his own experience that the 
phenomenon of genuine “contact” mind-reading is to 
be accounted for only by the theory of actual thought- 
transference. 


The Purpose of “Contact.” 

In the elementary forms of mind-reading actual phys¬ 
ical contact is a great aid, and serves to gradually 
develop the power of receptivity to thought-impulses 
from the other person. But the student soon reaches 
the point in which the contact is often broken for a 
space of time, and it may be discarded almost alto¬ 
gether after the rapport condition is established. 
Every honest investigator who will preserve an unprej¬ 
udiced mind will soon receive positive proof that the 
“contact” phenomenon which he is able to produce is 
the result of thought-transference, pure and simple, 
and all the arguments of the opposing theorists will 
fail to counteract the report of his own mind and the 
result of his own experience. The facts thus obtained 
will be worth more than a ton of argumentative 
theorizing. 


Psychic Science 

Mental Wire and Wireless. 


179 


The relation between “contact” mind-reading and 
that without contact is precisely that of the relation 
between ordinary telegraphy and wireless telegraphy. 
In the one case the nerves of the two persons serve as 
the channel for the passage of the thought-wave, while 
in the other the Subliminal Mind psychical relation¬ 
ship takes the place of the etheric waves which super¬ 
sede electric waves along the wires. Just as the science 
of telegraphy begins with the wire system and pro¬ 
ceeds gradually to the wireless system, so does the 
study of mind-reading begin with the contact methods 
and proceeds naturally and gradually to that of 
the non-contact methods. We shall not attempt to 
take up the time of the student in combating the 
opposing theories, but shall instead give him the in¬ 
struction regarding the methods whereby he may pro¬ 
duce the phenomena, and thus demonstrate for him¬ 
self the true facts of the case. If the theorists were 
to desist from their desk-thinking, and employ their 
time in actual experimentation, they would arrive at 
the facts much sooner and far more truly. They 
should make practical application of the old adage: 
“The proof of the pudding lies in the eating.” 

Scientific Development. 

In presenting the actual methods in the following 
lessons we would advise the student to restrain his im¬ 
patience and to experiment gradually along the pre- 


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cise lines and in the precise order indicated in the 
lessons. Let him “make haste slowly,” and thus de¬ 
velop his power scientifically and naturally instead of 
attempting to “rush” the matter and thus jeopardize 
his ultimate success. He should remember that one 
must learn to do simple addition and multiplication 
before he may successfully work out the more complex 
problems of arithmetic. The following lessons repre¬ 
sent the scientific study and experiments of men who 
have made of the subject a lifetime study. They are 
arranged in the order best suited to the requirements 
of the earnest student. 

LESSON 67. 

MIND-READING—(Continued). 

The student will do well to begin his experiments 
with the aid of some friend with whom he or she is in 
full sympathy, and who takes a scientific interest in 
the subject. The experiments should at first be per¬ 
formed in private until the technique is mastered and 
the “knack of it” is acquired. These experiments will 
soon develop in the student the faculty of inducing the 
“rapport” condition between himself and those with 
whom he conducts the experiments. 

Preparatory Steps. 

The experiments should begin by the student and his 
friend sitting quietly for a few moments, in silence, 



Psychic Science 


181 


and holding each other’s hands. During this prelimi¬ 
nary sitting both should place their minds upon each 
other, holding the thought “HARMONY” in their 
minds. It will be found helpful if they will both 
breathe in unison for a few moments, for nothing so 
quickly induces a sympathetic psychical rapport and 
relation as harmonic breathing. When both feel that 
this condition has been established they may proceed 
with the actual work of the experiment, as follows: 

First Practice. 

Let the student close his eyes and maintain a com¬ 
posed, passive state of mind. Let the helper fix his 
mind upon some article in the room—an article of fur¬ 
niture such as a chair, table, etc. Then, taking the 
hand of the student in his, let him concentrate his 
thought and gaze upon the selected article and will 
that the student move toward it. The student should 
then take a short step forward in any direction, and 
then slowly move around the room, obeying the dic¬ 
tates and suggestion of “the something within” which 
he will soon find guiding him in a certain direction. 
He should avoid “guessing” where he is going, but 
should allow himself to be “led” by the Subliminal 
Mind which is endeavoring to move him toward the 
article selected by the other person, and which it (the 
Subliminal Mind) is beginning to dimly perceive. 

The Psychic “Leading.” 

The student will perceive a peculiar “leading,” 
bending, and directing coming from the dim recesses 


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of his mind. He should trust implicitly to this, and 
should not attempt to use his objective or outer mind 
in the matter. If he yields to this inner guidance he 
will soon find himself being almost “wafted” toward 
a certain part of the room. Sometimes the guidance 
is irregular and wavering, but if the helper will firmly 
keep his mind on the selected object and will persist¬ 
ently will that the other shall move toward it, the 
result will soon become manifest. Sometimes it will 
be found to help the guidance if the student will lift 
the helper’s hand to his (the student’s) forehead. If 
the guidance does not come distinctly and clearly at 
first it will be well for the student to move about with 
slow, gliding steps for a time, when, after a few mo¬ 
ments he will begin to feel himself “drawn” toward 
the chosen object. The helper should protect the stu¬ 
dent from stumbling over anything in the way, and 
in every way to relieve the student from any anxiety 
or thought on this score. The mind of the student 
should be left perfectly clear and free to follow the 
inner guidance of the Subliminal Mind. 

The Passive Instrument. 

The student should endeavor to free his mind from 
any objective thought, and should become a passive 
instrument of his Subliminal Mind under the guid¬ 
ance of the will of the helper. It may take a little 
practice for him to acquire the peculiar psychic mental 
state required, but persistent practice will soon de¬ 
velop it, and once acquired the development will pro- 


Psychic Science 


183 


ceed i-apidly, in great leaps and bounds in some cases, 
and speedy development in others. Persistency and 
perseverenee is necessary. But the “knack” once 
acquired, the rest is easy. 


LESSON 68. 

MIND-READING—(Continued). 

The helper must do his part, and should carefully 
study the following directions. The student should 
also familiarize these directions, in order to be able to 
instruct the helper, or future helpers or associates in 
the experiments. 

The Will of the Helper. 

The helper should endeavor to concentrate his will 
and thought-force on the idea of the student moving 
toward the object. It is not sufficient that he form a 
mental picture of the object itself, for he is not trying 
to convey the picture of the thing to the student. His 
thought and will should be fixed on the direction in 
which the student should go— the road over which he 
should travel to reach the thing selected. He must 
think not “ chair’’ or “table ,’’ but “there” and “this 
way.” The idea of direction should be the one idea 
held in his mind. He should forget everything else 
except the direction and the place. His will will be 
effectively called forth into action by the silent mental 



184 


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command, “there!” given to the student with all his 
force. Let him act out the part as if his life or welfare 
depends upon the student reaching the selected place, 
and then bend forth his entire will-power to cause him 
to obey his silent command. He should mentally com¬ 
mand the student, “Go there, I fell you! Go there, I 
WILL you!” Much depends on the will-power of the 
helper, and he should give it full force and effect. And 
this mental attitude should be kept up by him from 
start to finish. The student should be as passive as 
possible; while the helper should be as positive as 
possible. 

The Dawning “Impulse.” 

The student should obey each inner mental impulse 
of direction without question. He should allow the 
will of the helper to take the place of his own, for the 
time being. He should make of himself a passive in¬ 
strument in the hands of the helper. The student 
will soon discover a faint impulse centering toward a 
certain spot. He may move in circles around that 
spot for a time, but the impulse toward that one point 
will sooner or later draw him right to it. He must 
not grow impatient, but should proceed this way and 
that way, knowing that in time he will attain the goal. 
If the impulse does not come strong enough he should 
poise himself on the ball of one foot, with the toe of 
the other advanced. Thus, evenly balanced, he will 
feel the impulse more clearly. After a little practice 
he will grow so sensitive that he will almost hear the 


185 


Psychic Science 

silent words of the helper saying: “This way, turn 
to the right. No, no, this way, I say,” etc. 

The Sense of Satisfaction. 

As the student approaches the selected object he will 
begin to feel comfortable, and a sense of satisfaction 
will steal over him. He will seem to hear the inner 
voice “Right you are! That’s right, that’s right!” 
etc. It is impossible to describe the exact sensation, 
but when once experienced it will ever after be easily 
recognized. When he feels himself at the right spot, or 
nearing it, he should extend his free hand and let it 
fall where it seems to be guided. When he finally 
touches it he will instinctively recognize it, and some¬ 
how know that he is right. 

Psychic Guidance. 

The helper must learn to guide (mentally) the hand 
of the student when he reaches the selected spot, just 
as he did his feet previously. The extent to which this 
guidance is possible may be imagined when we say 
that it is possible for a well-trained demonstrator to 
locate a pin-hole which has previously been made, and 
to stick therein the pin in its original position. There 
is nothing to this but practice, practice, and then more 
practice. The most accomplished public performers 
reached their wonderful proficiency along the road of 
practice in the very exercises we are now giving to 
you. 


186 


Psychic Science 


LESSON 69. 

MIND-READING—(Continued). 

The student will find that there is a great difference 
between the various helpers he may employ. Some 
persons are able to so concentrate their will-power 
that they will almost lift the performer from his feet 
and float him rapidly toward the selected object. 
Others will send only feeble impulses, and the result 
will be much slower and less satisfactory. The student 
will soon learn to distinguish between the different 
classes of helpers, and will also learn how to spur 
them on and to hold them to their work. He should be 
ready with his caution of, “Steady, now.” “Fix your 
mind. ” “ Use your will-power. ” “ Send stronger will¬ 
power,” etc. 

Change of Helpers. 

The student is advised to experiment with as many 
helpers as possible in order to accustom himself to 
the various temperaments and degrees of will-power 
among different persons. In public or parlor experi¬ 
ments he should impress upon the various helpers that 
the success of the experiment depends largely upon 
the degree of will-power manifested by the helper. 
He should avoid all persons who manifest a mental 
opposition to the experiment, as success with these is 
well-nigh impossible except to the very experienced 


Psychic Science 


187 


performer. By letting the helper understand that the 
experiment is as much a test of the helper’s will-power 
as it is of the performer’s receptivity, the helper’s op¬ 
position melts away, and he throws himself into the 
experiment with all of his power, and the success of 
the experiment is assured. 

Details of Practice. 

In the course of your private experiments you will 
find that certain positions of the hands or arm of the 
helper seem to induce in him increased mental power 
and will-impulses. You will also find that certain posi¬ 
tions seem to favor your receptivity. The rule is to 
avail yourself of any methods which seem to fit into 
your particular case. You are free to experiment in 
this direction until you ascertain the most favorable 
conditions for your work, after which you may perma¬ 
nently adopt the same. You will also discover many 
little ways of drawing out the power of the helper, 
which also should be employed in your regular practice. 

Inner Guidance. 

Moreover, you will discover certain little indications 
in yourself which indicate that you are on the right 
road and that you are approaching the selected object. 
Like the old game of childhood, you will become aware 
that you are “getting hot” or “getting cold.” It is 
surprising how sensitive to these impressions you will 
become after a little earnest practice. After a time 
you will find that the impressions will come so forcibly 


188 


Psychic Science 


that you will fairly rush ahead, dragging the helper 
after you. The various indications cannot be explained 
in words—they must be first experienced to be known. 
The main point is to depend upon the impressions 
coming from the inner mind, and to act upon them 
without question. 


LESSON 70. 

MIND-RE ADIN G— (Continued). 

In your private experiments have the helper select 
as wide a range of objects as possible, so as to accus¬ 
tom yourself to all the varieties of experience possible 
before you enter into public or parlor experiments. If 
possible, change your experiments to other rooms, so 
as to become at ease in strange surroundings. 

Selection of Objects. 

It is well to begin by having the helper select large 
and prominent objects, such as mantels, doors, windows 
(closed), cupboards, etc. After exhausting these, pro¬ 
ceed with articles of large furniture, such as tables, 
chairs, beds, etc. Then take up the smaller articles 
usually found in a room, such as pictures, parlor orna¬ 
ments, books, etc. Do not leave one class of objects 
until you have displayed your proficiency in locating 
every article of the kind in the room. Then pass on to 
the next class, and do not leave it until you have mas¬ 
tered it. Every article found is a step in the ladder 



Psychic Science 


189 


of attainment of success in mind-reading. Every vari¬ 
ety of object mastered renders it just that much easier 
to discover similar articles in public work. You will 
find that each article has its corresponding form of 
mental impulse sent you by the helper. The general 
principle of direction is always the same in any case, 
of course, but there are little shades of difference which 
you will perceive as you proceed with the work. The 
value of persistent and patient practice in this early 
work will be perceived by you when you undertake 
the more difficult feats. Remember, you are laying 
the foundation stones now—see that they are firmly 
laid and soundly placed in position. 

More Difficult Practice. 

After you have mastered the large and small objects 
in the rooms you will be ready to take the next step—* 
the finding of small hidden objects. This is the favor¬ 
ite feat of the professional performer, and is really no 
more difficult than many of the feats you have already 
successfully performed, although more effective to the 
observer. This class of feats is performed by the 
helper secreting some small article such as a coin, a 
ring, an ornament of any kind, in some place in the 
room —under a table-cover, back of a picture, in a book, 
under a rug, under a couch cushion, etc. You then 
proceed to locate the hidden object just as you have 
the smaller objects of previous experiments. You will 
find it not one bit more difficult, although it is appar¬ 
ently so to the outsider. 


190 


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A Friendly Audience. 

At this stage you may admit a few friends to your 
experiments if you wish. Their presence will help 
you, providing they are in sympathy with you. Let 
them exercise their powers of invention and ingenuity 
in finding unusual places of concealment for the hidden 
articles which you are to find. The practice thus 
afforded will be of the greatest assistance to you in 
your parlor or public experiments. This practice is 
of the greatest value to the student. 

Details of the Experiment. 

In locating these hidden objects the first step is to 
get the impression of the direction of the place of 
hiding. Then the spot. Then proceed to the details, 
such as the lifting of rugs, ornaments, etc., to disclose 
the hidden object. You will be surprised how your 
developed instinctive power will solve these problems 
for you. You will almost hear the words: ‘‘Under 
there! lift that; behind that/’ etc. Finally your fingers 
will be almost forced around the hidden thing, and you 
will experience that peculiar thrill that comes to the 
mind-reader who has “made good” in his search. 
When you can do this with ease you are ready for 
more public experiments and exhibitions of your power 
if you feel disposed to give the same. If you have 
laid your foundation well you will have nothing to 
fear. Confidence now is the only thing needed. 



Psychic Science 


191 


LESSON 71. 

MIND-READING— (Continued). 

If the student has carefully prepared himself by the 
practice suggested in the preceding lessons he should 
now be ready to give public demonstrations of mind¬ 
reading. It will be better if he begin by parlor dem¬ 
onstrations before a friendly, or at least sympathetic, 
audience, rather than by a demonstration in a large 
hall before a general and sometimes a hostile audience. 
This, however, only by reason of the fact that he will 
probably need to develop self-confidence, and to over¬ 
come “stage fright.’’ So far as the actual work is 
concerned it is no more difficult to give the demonstra¬ 
tions before a large and general audience than before 
a small and friendly one. 

Preparatory Work. 

It- is always well to begin a public demonstration 
by a short, earnest talk, touching upon the subject of 
mind-reading in general, and dwelling particularly 
upon the fact that the co-operation and sympathy of 
the audience has much to do with the success of the 
experiments. The audience should be impressed with 
the fact that their concentrated “will-power” can 
either make the experiments a decided success or, on 
the other hand, may defeat the power of the demon¬ 
strator. The point should be brought out that the 
demonstrator is merely a passive instrument upon 


192 


Psychic Science 


which the mind of the audience operates. The audi¬ 
ence should be impressed to “hold the thought’’ of 
success for the demonstrator, and also use its combined 
concentrated will-power in order to direct him to the 
places in which the objects are hidden, etc. A little 
talk of this kind will have the effect of securing the 
co-operation of the audience instead of its opposition. 
It will produce the desirable psychological condition 
on the part of the audience, and will also tend to give 
to the demonstrator a feeling of confidence and har¬ 
mony. 

Selecting the Helper. 

The demonstrator should exercise care in the selec¬ 
tion of his helper. If possible he should select some 
one with whom he has previously experimented. If 
this is not possible or expedient, he should select some 
one whom he feels to be sympathetically inclined 
toward him, or who takes a great interest in psychic 
subjects, and who is also able to concentrate his or her 
mind upon the task at hand. Women are often very 
excellent helpers in work of this kind, provided they 
are sufficiently interested in the matter, and especially 
if they are of the earnest, “intense” type—avoid tri¬ 
fling, butterfly women, as they are as unable to con¬ 
centrate as is a two-months-old baby. 

Instruction to the Helper. 

The helper or “guide” (the latter term fits the case 
better) should be fully informed and instructed as to 


Psychic Science 


193 


just wliat is required of him or her. The instructions 
should be given in the presence and hearing of the 
audience to avoid suspicion of collusion or trickery. 
The guide should be impressed with the idea that con¬ 
centration and will-power on his or her part is essen¬ 
tial to the success of the experiment. He or she should 
be informed that upon the “ strength of your will and 
your ability to concentrate your thoughts, the success 
of the experiment materially depends.’’ 

Changing Guides. 

It is well to change guides during the demonstration, 
as this adds variety to the feats, and also satisfies the 
audience that there is no collusion or trickery, or 
secret understanding between you and the guide. It 
also gives you the advantage of choosing between sev¬ 
eral guides when you come to the more difficult feats 
in which the very best help is required. 


LESSON 72. 

MIND-RE ADING—(Continued). 

Having secured your guide, leave the room after re¬ 
questing that the audience select the object which you 
are to “find” in your first experiment. It is well to 
have a committee appointed to decide upon this, and 
to generally conduct the management of the demon¬ 
stration. Otherwise much time will be wasted by the 



194 


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audience—every audience requires a few capable per¬ 
sons to “run things.” After the object is selected, 
the committee should blindfold you and take other 
steps to prevent any suspicion of trickery. You should 
then be led into the room and the hand of the guide 
placed in yours. The following will be found to fur¬ 
nish excellent material for the programme for an even¬ 
ing’s entertainment or demonstration: 

Locating* Persons. 

It is well to begin the demonstration by having the 
audience select a person among them, whom you then 
proceed to locate along the line with which your prac¬ 
tice has already made you familiar. Then a few other 
persons may be selected in turn until you have fully 
demonstrated your ability to pick out anyone in the 
audience who may be thought of. 

The Flower to the Fair. 

A variation of this experiment is had in the selection 
of some lady in the room to whom you shall present a 
flower which has also been selected from a number at 
hand and placed in a convenient place. You first 
“find” the flower, and then the lady to whom you 
present it. This experiment is quite interesting, but 
of course is really but a variation of the familiar one 
of simple “finding.” 

The Reunited Pair. 

An interesting variation of the familiar experiment 
of “locating persons” is had in the experiment of 


Psychic Science 


195 


the reunited pair,” which is performed as follows: 
Have the audience select a gentleman in one part of 
the room and a lady in another. Let them stand up 
together in view of the audience (during your absence 
from the room) and then return to their seats. When 
you return to the room and meet your guide you pro¬ 
ceed to find the gentleman and then lead him to the 
lady, and thus reunite the happy pair. If a married 
couple, or, better still, a betrothed pair, are selected, 
it adds interest and merriment to the test. 

The Detected Criminal. 

Quite a startling experiment, and one very effective 
in a large audience, is that of the “detected criminal.” 
It is performed as follows: The audience selects three 
persons, who play the following parts: (1) The crim¬ 
inal, (2) the victim, (3) the policeman. An instrument 
representing the pistol or dagger should also he se¬ 
lected, in the shape of a book or other object in the 
room, providing it is easily handled. The performers 
then play the part of a murder. The criminal takes 
the weapon and “kills” the victim; he then hides the 
weapon; and then secretes himself among the audi¬ 
ence. When you return to the room you first find the 
“corpse,” then the weapon. Then you seek for a 
policeman, and having found him in the person selected 
you conduct him to the criminal. This feat, although 
apparently complicated, is merely a series of simple 
“findings.” In presenting it you should throw dra¬ 
matic interest into the search. 


196 


Psychic Science 

Variations. 


A number of interesting variations may be added 
to the above experiments in which the “finding of 
persons” is the main feat. Tableau groups may be 
reconstructed in a very effective manner. 


LESSON 73. 

MIND-READING— (Continued). 

The finding of small articles secreted among the 
audience always adds interest to the demonstration. 
Articles of jewelry may be secreted and then discov¬ 
ered. Hidden coins always seem to interest an audi¬ 
ence. The finding of a book placed among others in 
a row of books on the mantel, table, or in a book-case 
also is interesting. There is no limit to the variations 
of the simple “finding” of small objects which is, or 
should be, perfectly familiar to you by reason of your 
previous private practice. 

The Pin Demonstration. 

An experiment which always proves effective is that 
in which a pin is first stuck into the door, or other 
woodwork in the room, then pulled out and hidden. 
You find the secreted pin, and then replace it in the 
hole from which it has been extracted. This is not 
nearly so difficult as it appears at first sight. If prac- 



Psychic Science 197 

ticed in private sufficiently often it becomes as easy as 
any of the simpler feats. In finding the place for 
the pin (and, for that matter, in finding any small 
object or place), you circle your hand around the 
general location which you have discovered, and then 
gradually narrow the circle (according to the impulse 
received from the mind of the guide) until you come 
to a point which you will “feel” to be right—this will 
be found to be the right spot. Feats of this kind 
should be repeatedly practiced and rehearsed in pri¬ 
vate before attempting to produce them in public. 
There is, of course, more or less “stage business” 
about all of them, and this should be practiced until 
it becomes second nature to the performer. 

Hat Finding. 

An interesting experiment is that in finding the 
owner for a hat selected from a number belonging to 
the audience. It is, of course, necessary that the guide 
should know to whom the hat belongs. To make sure 
of this you should hold the hat aloft and bid the owner 
stand up so that the guide can see him, you turning 
your head away at the same time, so as to avoid sus¬ 
picion of trickery. Having the hat, you have merely 
to find the man in the usual way. This feat may be 
rendered more effective by first finding the hat and 
then the man—the hat being previously secreted, of 


course. 


Psychic Science 


-* o 

j ... o 

The Restored King 1 . 

Another interesting variation is that of finding a 
secreted ring, and then finding its owner and replacing 
the ring upon the finger from which it originally had 
been taken. This is merely a variation, and the dis¬ 
covery of the particular finger is really the only bit 
of “fine work” about the experiment. 

General Directions. 

In all of the above mentioned experiments, as well 
as those which may be invented as variations thereof, 
there will be found to be only the general principles 
involved with which the student is already perfectly 
familiar by reason of his private practice. In fact, 
the student should practice in private every feat which 
ho intends to demonstrate in public. The success of the 
mind-reader, as that of the actor, depends on frequent 
rehearsal. One more word of general instruction: 
When you find difficult in “finding” a location, “cir¬ 
cle” around it until you receive the final decisive im¬ 
pulse. In the same way in “finding” small objects, 
“circle” your hand around the place indicated until 
your hand finally is impelled toward one certain defi¬ 
nite point. Practice alone v/ill make you proficient in 
this. And now a word of caution and warning which, 
however, we trust is not needed in the majority of 
cases among our students, namely: Always be true 
to the scientific principles of psychic science and avoid 
any trickery, collusion, or any other unworthy yield- 


Psychic Science 


199 


ing to the temptation to deceive even in minor details, 
for the purpose of amusing or causing wonder to your 
audience. Be 44 straight” in your experiments, or else 
refrain from giving them. 


LESSON 74. 

MIND-READING—(Continued). 

In the “finding” experiments, the demonstrator is, 
of necessity, dependent to a very great extent upon the 
earnestness and honesty of his guide. He should lose 
no opportunity of impressing this fact upon the minds 
of the guide and of the audience. He should always 
strive to bring out the fact that He, himself, is noth¬ 
ing but a passive instrument upon which plays the 
mental currents or forces, and through which they 
manifest in activity. The guide should understand that 
upon his or her ability to concentrate must depend the 
degree of success in the experiments. 

Changing Guides. 

The demonstrator should never hesitate to change 
guides, when the one employed fails to meet the require¬ 
ments. Of course care should be taken to avoid giving 
offense in making the change. Tact, diplomacy, and 
ordinary politeness should be employed here. The 
guide will not feel offended if the demonstrator in¬ 
forms him or her that he is unable to establish the re- 



200 


Psychic Science 


quired “rapport” conditions between them. You will 
find that the new guide will be inspired by the fact 
that something better is expected of him, and will bend 
every energy toward meeting the requirements. 

Dignity and Gravity. 

The guide and the audience should be impressed that 
earnestness is necessary, and that the demonstration is 
of scientific interest, and is not a mere play or mirth- 
provoking exhibition. If the demonstrator maintains 
his dignity and earnestness, he will meet with a like 
response from his audience. 

Avoid Monotony. 

The demonstrator should strive to avoid monotony 
in the demonstration. A well varied programme will 
prove much more interesting than one consisting of a 
monotonous repetition of one experiment. The audi¬ 
ence will be apt to become bored in the latter event, 
while in the former it will find the demonstration inter¬ 
esting as well as instructive. 

Avoid Tiring Yourself. 

The demonstrator should avoid tiring himself, or his 
guides. It will be found expedient to have occasional 
intermissions in the demonstration, in which a general 
discussion of the principles of psychic science, and 
especially telepathy, may be indulged in to advantage. 
This will not only rest the active participants, but will 
also create the desirable mental atmosphere and 


Psychic Science 


201 


psychic conditions which have much to do with the 
success of a demonstration of this kind. 

Restrain the “Smart-Alicks.” 

The demonstrator should be on guard against the 

Smart-Alicks ’ ’ who are always to be found in a 
crowd, and whose sole desire seems to be to perplex 
and confuse the demonstrator. The audience should 
understand that such attempts will only result in de¬ 
feating the objects of the demonstration. 

Trust the Guide. 

The guide should be impressed with the idea that 
you have implicit trust in his ability to protect you 
from practical jokes, and from stumbling or run¬ 
ning into obstacles in your way. Then you should 
forget all about such things, and place yourself im¬ 
plicitly in his or her hands. You may add that the 
hidden objects should never be placed about the per¬ 
son of the guide, for in such case you will find it 
very difficult to locate them, by reason of the guide’s 
inability to think of his own location. This fact is 
based on psychological law, and should be readily 
understood by all. 




202 


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LESSON 75. 

MIND-READING— (Continued). 

The 4 ‘finding” experiments may be varied by inter¬ 
posing a piece of stiff wire between the guide and the 
demonstrator, each holding on to one end thereof. A 
wooden “ruler” may be substituted for the wire. An 
ordinary cane is often used in this way. The demon¬ 
strator will find that after a little practice in this way 
he will be able to perform all of the ordinary “find¬ 
ing” feats just as well as with ordinary hand contact. 
Sometimes the experiments may be performed by inter¬ 
posing a third person between the guide and the 
demonstrator, but the third person must be harmoni¬ 
ous, and more or less in rapport, in order to bring de¬ 
sirable results. This last fact arises from the frequent 
passive resistance of the third person, which is really 
an opposing influence, whereas the wire, stick, or cane 
is an absolutely passive instrument. 

Variation in Contact. 

It is not essential that the guide’s hand be always 
grasped in that of the demonstrator. Variations may 
be used in cases of good guides. For instance, the 
guide’s fingers may merely rest upon the back of the 
hand of the demonstrator, or even upon the top of his 
head. Demonstrators often hold the hand of the guide 
between their fingers, and touch the held hand to their 


P sy chic Science 


203 


forehead. The student, however, is cautioned against 
experimenting with these variations in a public enter¬ 
tainment, until he has first demonstrated his ability 
to succeed with them in private practice. When mas¬ 
tered, however, they add very materially to the ap¬ 
pearance of the experiment, and overcome the objec¬ 
tions of those who may think that the guide ‘ ‘ pulls ” 
the demonstrator in the desired direction. 

Without Contact. 

When the student has proved his ability to perform 
all of the finding experiments with a high degree of 
success, he may proceed to experiment in the direc¬ 
tion of performing the feats absolutely without con¬ 
tact. This, however, requires a much greater degree of 
receptivity, and many otherwise good demonstrators 
are unable to meet with the degree of success they 
may hope for in this special class of experimental 
work. Mind-reading without contact is simply a varia¬ 
tion of the old-time “Willing Game,” with which many 
are familiar, and which is performed as follows: 

The “Willing Game.” 

The familiar old-time “Willing Game” is performed 
by the audience selecting an object or person to be 
“found,” and then concentrating their thoughts upon 
it when the demonstrator re-enters the room. The 
demonstrator makes himself perfectly passive, men¬ 
tally and physically, and moves about in response to 
the subtle influence of the minds of the audience. In 


204 


Psychic Science 


cases in which the conditions are perfect, he is con¬ 
scious of receiving the same impulses which he is 
accustomed to receiving from his guide in the “con¬ 
tact experiments. ” But, unfortunately, the conditions 
are seldom just what they might be. There is too 
often a lack of rapport and harmony, which defeats 
the experiment. The experiment is most successful 
when conducted before an audience composed of sym¬ 
pathetic friends or co-workers. Practice, however, 
along these lines, often brings about a high degree of 
proficiency. But if the result does not prove satisfac¬ 
tory the student should not become discouraged, but 
should proceed with the interesting class of contact 
experiments which we shall speak of in the succeeding 
several lessons. 



AUG 24 191 f 





















